Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Harry Potter including Harry Potter

A/N: The calm before the storm. That's all I have to say. Thanks for the reviews!

The Voice of Reason

Chapter Six: Random Questions

Christine's Point of View

I watched Romana and Gabe walk away from me to talk to Professor Scythe. A sick feeling turned in my stomach and I knew I had homework that needed to be done. I pulled it out from my side bag and sat down underneath the tree that stood above me. I let a sigh escape from my chapped lips and opened my books. I looked up for a second and noticed Professor Snape wandering around, looking for something. I recalled Professor Scythe request, but decided he was looking for something else. I didn't blame her for being mad; I'd be upset if someone had stomped on my tail. His dark eyes watched Scythe longingly as a hunger formed in his eyes. He was looking around for a moment, and I lowered my eyes back to my homework. I wouldn't want him to notice me looking, since he may get the wrong opinion. Too late, I noticed him approaching me. As I watched him walk up to me, I couldn't help the feeling of someone eyes on the back of my neck. "I don't mean to interrupt your studies, Miss. Walken," Professor Snape started. I looked up into his dark eyes. The hunger was gone, but regret was still there. "Have you seen Mr. Malfoy?"

"I have not Professor Snape," I replied calmly.

He smiled weakly. "Thank you anyway," his eyes rose for a moment. I expected him to leave, but it was easy to see that he needed to talk to someone. "I used to sit here," he said calmly. "Doing my homework. You don't strike me as the type of person to sit down and do homework."

"I don't want to disappoint anyone," I replied. "It's a lovely spot," just because Scythe despises him, it doesn't mean I have too. "I can understand why you'd like it."

"There's a branch up there, that's just perfect to sit on and do some perfect people watching," he said.

I looked up trying to see where he was looking, but I noticed a somewhat sick smile stretch across his face. "I don't see where you're looking," I responded quietly.

"I think Mr. Malfoy has found it," he said.

Was Draco watching me? I felt ill quickly. I leaned back to see Draco's face bright red as he held on for dear life. "Sorry Christine," he said. "I couldn't see down your shirt or anything... but I'm afraid I've trapped myself."

"You were looking down my shirt?" I asked.

"You can't climb down?" Snape asked.

Obviously Snape and I had different concerns. "I was up here for a while," Draco said. "I think I can get down, but I thought Christine would be furious if she knew I was up here."

"Well, you were trying to look down my shirt," I said.

"I wasn't, I was informing you that I couldn't," he replied.

"You would have had to check thought, if you were going to inform me," I said.

"She has a point," Snape supported me.

"If I come down will you kick my ass?" Draco asked, ignoring that fact that Snape was there.

"Of course I will!" I said. "You attempted to look down my shirt!"

I noticed Gabe suddenly beside me. "What's happening?" he asked, looking up at the somewhat trapped Draco.

Snape used this opportunity to glance once more at Professor Scythe. "Draco is staying in the tree because if he comes down I'm going to beat him," I looked at Snape, even though he wasn't looking at me. "And Professor Snape will probably let me."

Gabe chuckled lightly, as Snape didn't react. He was obviously deep in thought. I turned to see where he was looking. Scythe had turned her back to him, to make it obvious that she was angry with him. A lot of people were standing around her though, including a pair of bright green eyes that watched me. Harry Potter's eyes look away quickly, and I felt my cheeks burn. I turned back to Draco in the tree. Gabe looked up at Draco. "If you come down from the tree," Gabe shouted. "I'll make sure Christine doesn't beat you senseless. I have my ways to make her do things."

Gabe grinned. Draco looked down. Was he jealous? I hoped he didn't get the wrong opinion with Gabe's vague explanations. "Fine," Draco said, defeated.

Snape finally turned back to us. "I do need to speak with you when you get down," he said. "I've heard a couple rumours I need confirmed."

"I heard you were nice to the Granger girl!" Gabe said in a mocking tone. "Do you think she's cute?"

Was I jealous? "Of course not," Draco said and jumped to the ground. "I just wasn't myself at the time. If I had know it was her I would have kept walking."

Snape looked at Gabe and I, and then at Draco. I think he wanted us to leave. "Would you prefer we left?" I asked my temporary Professor.

He nodded, but then stopped himself. "May I ask something about Professor Scythe first?" he asked.

"She's still mad at you," Gabe said.

"I realize that," Snape said. "And I was talking to Miss. Walken, since she seems to have a better bond with the teacher than you do."

"Of course she does!" Gabe said.

I hit Gabe across the chest to keep him quiet. "What would you like to know?" I asked, looking up at the teacher.

"I was thinking about when her dress was on fire, but when I was stomping on her... I don't think I could have stepped on her foot. Is there something I should know?" Snape asked.

I watched Gabe look at me. "I don't know if I have permission to tell you," I said.

An indescribable rage filled his eyes and he grabbed my shoulders tightly. "It doesn't matter!" Obviously Mr. Snape wasn't used to not getting his way. "I need to know what I'm dealing with."

Thankfully, Scythe pulled me away from him. "How dare you touch one of my students," I watched her amber eyes glare at him. "If you want to know something about me, just ask me. Don't make me despise you more."

Snape's expression melted. I quickly thought of mocking him, but I could feel Harry watching me. He was with Scythe and if Scythe was with me than he was with me. My stomach leapt as he stood beside me. Romana had talked to him before, but I hadn't gotten around to it, and this wasn't the time nor place to randomly introduce myself. "Well?" Scythe spoke once more.

I watched everything go darker as the sun hid itself behind the clouds. Snape's eyes lowered away from all of us. Eventually his hair covered his eyes. "Nothing," his teeth gritted. "Nothing at all."

Snape walked briskly away and Draco kept to his heels, as if he was the professor's lackey. Scythe let out a sigh when they finally left. "Something about him," she watched Snape. "Sends chills up my spine."

She shuddered and walked off, tightening her jacket around herself. Her eyes kept to the clouded sky. "Go figure Snape could actually have a crush on someone," the great Harry Potter muttered, flashing an attractive smile at me.

I bashfully smiled back, as the sky clouded over more. A cool wind blew across my face. I shoved out my hand for Harry to shake. "Christine," I said, nervously.

He shook my hand. "Harry," he smiled once more at me. "It's a pleasure."

I let my eyes wander as he immediately engaged in conversation with me. He asked me a vast amount of questions about, well, everything, but nothing was too personal. As I answered his questions, and asked my own, I couldn't help my eyes wander to Draco. His cold eyes stared into me. The air began to grow warmer as I turned back to Harry. I liked his emerald eyes better anyway.